With a nickname like the Pine Tree State, Maine is widely known for its sprawling mountainous landscape and miles of woodlands. It is often considered the outdoor recreation capital of the world since it has all the resources that extreme sports enthusiasts crave. However, it also has a long history of traditional, indoor and outdoor sports, along with a long list of exciting places to compete. Though it may not appear to have a strong presence in the professional sports world, Maine lives by a competitive motto—Dirigo—meaning “I Lead.” So let Maine lead you towards your next sports event or tournament.
Portland Sports Facilities
Located in Casco Bay, Portland is Maine’s largest city and is most active in arts and culture. However, it also offers a number of high-quality sports venues for planners and coaches to host events. Its welcoming environment and affordable accommodations make it easy for teams to find a temporary home in Portland.
Fitzpatrick Stadium is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose outdoor sports facility in Portland. Lovingly referred to as “Fitzy,” the stadium is used by the community for many sporting events, including high school football, field hockey and lacrosse. It has been the host of numerous junior, adult and amateur sports tournaments.
Hadlock Field is home to the Portland Seadogs minor league baseball team, the only professional baseball team in the state of Maine. It features 7,368 seats and offers an intimate atmosphere for both teams and spectators. It has hosted events like the NCAA Division III Regional Baseball tournament, Maine American Legion Tournament, Little League tournaments and many high school matches.
The Portland Exposition Building is a landmark for sports events in Portland. It is home to the Maine Red Claws, an NBA Development League. Apart from basketball, the facility has also hosted indoor tennis matches, volleyball, track races, wrestling and boxing.
Cumberland County Civic Center is the home of the American Hockey League’s Portland Pirates. It is located within a few blocks of five area hotels with over 700 rooms and more than 60 restaurants. After serving the city for nearly 40 years, the Civic Center is expected to undergo an extensive remodeling in the coming year, which will expand its seating capacity, function space, parking and other amenities.
Bangor Sport Events
Considered the lumber capital of the world in the 1830s, Bangor still holds strong to its old roots, proudly teaching guests about its traditions through museums and displays, not to mention a prominent Paul Bunyan statue. Bangor also is a cultural center for Eastern Maine and has a vast array of sports venues thanks to its passion for competitive athletics and large university.
Bangor Auditorium is a 5,948-seat multi-purpose arena. It has hosted all kinds of sports events in Bangor, from high school basketball tournaments to professional wrestling matches. It shares a campus with Bass Park, where the Maine State Fair is held, and Bangor Raceway, where locals come to watch harness races. The city has moved to replace the Bangor Auditorium and the Civic Center with modern, updated buildings, with an expected seating capacity of over 8,000. The new facilities are not slated to open until 2013.
Sawyer Arena is an indoor ice skating rink that is open from the beginning of September until the end of March. It is available for public skating as well as ice hockey and figure skating events. It features youth and adult league hockey, but can also be used by sports planners and coaches for tournaments and professional matches.
The University of Maine is a top educational institute in Maine, boasting an outstanding athletics program with excellent sports venues. It is the only Division One college in the state, so sports are a big deal for the Black Bears. The campus features the Harold Alfond Sports Arena, which has been around since 1977. It is where the university men’s and women’s hockey, plus men’s and women’s basketball teams, play. The arena’s capacity stands at 5,641 for ice hockey and 5,712 for basketball. It is also used for youth, high school and senior league play.
Other university facilities include the Mahaney Dome, an indoor field used for football, soccer, baseball, softball and field hockey; Morse Field, a 10,000-seat football stadium that has hosted all home games since 1998; Kessock Field, one of the finest softball facilities in the state with nearly 1,000 seats; and Stanley M. Wallace Pool, an eight-lane, 25-yard-by-25-meter pool, with a separate diving area and balcony seating for 550 people.
Sports Venues in Augusta
The state capital of Maine is the economic and cultural hub of Kennebec County. Located along the Kennebec River, Augusta offers a wealth of attractions, natural beauty and recreational activities, along with historical sites, affordable accommodations and welcoming residents. Augusta provides top-quality sports facilities, making it a great place to host any tournament.
Kennebec Ice Arena is home to the Kennebec Youth Hockey League. It hosts all kinds of tournaments, clinics, practices and special hockey events, plus public skating.
The Augusta Civic Center is a 6,777-seat multi-purpose arena that has hosted a number of sports events, including high school basketball, volleyball and other indoor tournaments. Another popular venue for baseball in Augusta is Babe Ruth Field, home of the Babe Ruth League.
Maine is a world unto itself, with incredible natural landscapes, thrilling recreational opportunities and always something more to do. Sports planners will find everything they need to host a successful tournament in Maine.
